Four Vatican Swiss Guards test positive for Covid-19
A member of the Swiss Guards giving directions
Keystone / Fabio Frustaci
Four members of the Vatican Swiss Guards, the colourfully dressed corps that has protected popes for 500 years, have tested positive for Covid-19, the Vatican said on Monday. They are believed to be the first in the corps to test positive.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Reuters/ts
Русский
ru
Швейцарские гвардейцы в Ватикане заразились коронавирусом
The results came in over the weekend and added to three other residents or citizens of the tiny Vatican city-state who have tested positive in recent weeks, according to a statement.
Nearly all of the 113-strong Swiss Guards are single men who live in a barracks just inside the Vatican gates. The commanders and married members live in separate apartments. All members are Swiss and Catholic.
The Vatican said all of those who had tested positive had mild symptoms. They have been isolated and tracing of those with whom they had been in direct contact was underway.
Prevention measures
The Vatican last week instituted prevention measures stipulating that everyone had to wear masks, even outdoors, and practise social distancing.
But some have noted that Pope Francis does not wear a mask at his general audiences and sometimes comes in relatively close contact with visitors, who are wearing masks.
Some of his closest aides have not been wearing masks at the audiences.
On Friday surrounding Italy topped 5,000 new Covid-19 cases in a single day for the first time since March. The country is set to ban private parties and limit the numbers of guests at weddings and funerals among new restrictions aimed at curbing a surge in coronavirus infections.
More
More
Coronavirus: the situation in Switzerland
This content was published on
An overview of the latest Covid-related information in the Alpine nation.
Is artificial intelligence an advantage or a disadvantage for workers?
What is your experience with AI at work? Have you already used it? Has it helped you work better? Or has it caused you more stress, more work or caused you to lose your job? Tell us about your experiences!
Swiss price watchdog slams excessive prices for generic medicines
This content was published on
The cheapest generic medicines available in Switzerland are more than twice as expensive as in other countries, according to a study by the Swiss price watchdog.
Nature should not figure in net zero calculations: academic study
This content was published on
The natural removal of CO2 from the atmosphere by forests or oceans should not be included in the net-zero balance of climate protection measures, argue researchers.
This content was published on
None of the 15 major Swiss retail banks is meeting international climate and biodiversity targets, according to a ranking by WWF Switzerland.
This content was published on
Nestlé's new CEO Laurent Freixe, has presented plans for the future of the world's largest food company, after his first few weeks in office.
Swiss foreign minister calls on Moscow to end Ukraine war
This content was published on
It's high time Moscow ended its war against Ukraine, Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis tells the UN Security Council.
This content was published on
The only alternative to the UN Palestinian agency’s work in Gaza is to allow Israel to run services there, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, told reporters in Geneva on Monday.
Study reveals food culture differences between Switzerland and neighbours
This content was published on
Three-quarters of Swiss people consider eating to be a pleasurable, social activity, a new survey reveals. Healthy eating, however, plays a much less important role, it found.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
The murder of the commander of the Swiss Guard
This content was published on
On May 4, 1998, Alois Estermann was named commander of the Pope’s Swiss Guard. A few hours later, he was found dead in his flat in the Vatican City.
Vatican launches track team of Swiss Guards and nuns
This content was published on
The Vatican has launched an official track team – including Swiss Guards – with the aim of competing in international competitions.
Renovating new Papal Swiss Guard barracks to cost CHF50 million
This content was published on
The foundation was established in canton Solothurn in 2016 to support the work of the Swiss Guard. Former Swiss central bank chairman Jean-Pierre Roth is in charge of the renovation project and heads the foundation, according to La Liberté. The Pope’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, gave the green light in June for the…
This content was published on
The world's oldest standing army, the Papal Guards, have presented a prototype of its new headgear: Plastic PVC helmets made with a 3D printer.
This content was published on
As the Swiss Guard marks its 500th anniversary, Neirynck calls for its modernisation. He says that the pope’s security could be guaranteed in other ways. The Swiss Papal Guard is small army of Swiss men tasked with protecting the pope – a duty they have performed for five centuries. Soldiers carry ancient halberds – a…
This content was published on
Justice Minister Christoph Blocher made the keynote speech, commending the guards – who are responsible for the pope’s safety – on their loyalty and for being true to their word. Blocher added that the men were exemplary, saying that they typified Christian values. The very fact that the Swiss Guard was celebrating 500 years in…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.